This morning at 11:30 I signed a lease agreement with a landlord for a 55-square-meter apartment in Montpellier.
The agreement goes into effect on November 1, although since my 60th birthday is Nov. 2 and I've celebrated 40 and 50 in Berlin, and want to say au revoir to my friends, I won't move in on that date.
What this will mean is that over the next few weeks, this blog will be winding down, and a new one will rise. Just think of it: a whole new country to complain about from scratch! Why, I've already ploughed through the catalog of offers Orange (France Telecom) has ready for me and am utterly and totally confused. Isn't there some way for me to get a landline, a mobile, and Internet service without cable TV? I don't watch television at all, and never have!
For the last five years, I've felt like I was treading water in Berlin. Virtually nothing I do can't be done elsewhere (except complain about Germany and Berlin), so why not do it from a much nicer place?
That's what I'm about to do.
I'll miss the real-life friends I've made in Berlin a lot, but I also have a sneaking feeling I'll be getting a lot of e-mails with the word "couch" in them. And yes, it looks like the nice couch will be going with me.
As for the cyber-friends, I'll try to get the new blog up quickly, and put a pointer here so y'all can join in the fun.
Anybody want to take over my lease? Anybody know what it'll cost to move? I sure don't...
More news as it happens.
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13 comments:
Congrats! Sitting here surrounded by boxes myself... If you experience a mysterious shortage of sturdy pre-used cardboard containers north of the S-Bahn line, it's probably my fault.
Ed, what magnificent news. Thrilled to bollocks for you and good for you for making it happen. Of course I secretly thought you were just fibbing and were actually planning to stay in Berlin for ever. OK, have to get on with reading that book you lent me. Looking forward to reading more.
Congratulations, Ed! Es ist höchste Zeit!
Congratulations, Ed! Fabulous news. Are you taking reservations for the couch yet...
c'est superb! and long-deserved. well done. looking forward to the celebration.
Well done - I'm sure it'll work out well!
And re. france telecom - I think they just throw in IPTV "for free", like some phone companies (Alice/Hansenet) do here. I believe "Neuf" are the main competitor, and do the same (and throw in a very basic e-mail and simple surfing PC as well, in a kind of "modern minitel" kind of way).
Oh, snap! I knew this story would have a happy ending. Or is it new beginning? In any event, congratulations and good luck with the big move.
Ed, gratuliere! Ward ok tid!
I hope that the move is a painless one. Looking forward to news from Languedoc!
hip, Hip, Hoo-RAY!!!!
talk about keeping your eye on the ball and your shoulder to the wheel!
i really think there's a good chance my family will come to France in the next year or two.
David, I'd *love* to meet your family! Do keep me up to speed on your plans -- and let's sit down and talk in March, okay?
whew! the long protracted labor has finally produced a slimy, pink baby! congrats - fire up a stogie for me!
I am late to the party but mes meilleurs voeux pour ce nouveau départ! I look forward to much Schadenfreude (je l'avais pourtant prévenu!) as the news drip of how shocked, shocked, shocked you are by all that is atrocious in France. You already found some; take it from a renegade frenchman: there's more, loads more!
And Happy Birthday!
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